18-Night Wonders Of Australia With Queenstown Escorted Bus Tour

American breakfast (B) daily, 2 lunches (L); Local Host service in Melbourne and Queenstown; sightseeing as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary (inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE).

Seasonal Pricing

Low

Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec

$4629 ppLand Only

Shoulder

Apr, May, Sept, Oct

$4904 ppLand Only

High

Jun, Jul, Aug

$5179 ppLand Only

Highlights:

Itinerary:

Day #1Arrive in Melbourne, Australia. Welcome to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day #2Melbourne. Your morning guided sightseeing tour includes Queen Victoria Market (when open), the Italian Quarter, the Shrine of Remembrance, the ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, Fitzroy Gardens, and spectacular city views from Bolte Bridge. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day #3Melbourne. A full day at leisure for independent activities. (B)

Day #4Melbourne–Alice Springs. Today, fly to Alice Springs. Then, enjoy guided sightseeing that includes visits to the OLD TELEGRAPH STATION, ANZAC HILL, SCHOOL OF THE AIR, and the ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE. (B)

Day #5Alice Springs–Ayers Rock. Today, fly to Ayers Rock. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day #6Ayers Rock. This morning, included sightseeing takes you to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), where you will enjoy a GUIDED WALK. This afternoon, enjoy guided sightseeing that includes a visit to the CULTURAL CENTRE and a WALKING TOUR around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Late in the day, travel to “Sunset Strip” for a DRINK AND CANAPÉS, and to witness the changing colors of the rock. (B)

Day #7Ayers Rock–Cairns. Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The balance of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day #8Cairns. Today, board a fast catamaran for a CRUISE to Green Island, one of the many tropical islands on Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef. Here you can choose to SNORKEL, take a GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT TOUR, or walk through the island’s cool rainforest. Return to Cairns and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. (B)

Day #9Cairns–Darwin. Enjoy the day at leisure in Cairns. This evening, fly to Darwin at the top end of Australia. (B)

Day #10Darwin–Kakadu National Park. This morning, drive to KAKADU NATIONAL PARK. Stop at the WARRADJAN ABORIGINAL CULTURAL CENTRE to learn more about the cultural significance of the park. Then, take a GUIDED CRUISE on Kakadu’s famous wetlands for a chance to see crocodiles in the wild. Also, travel to NOURLANGIE ROCK to view ancient Aboriginal rock art. (B,L)

Day #11Kakadu–Darwin. Start your day with a 4WD trip to UBIRR to see well-preserved Aboriginal rock art. Then, join an Aboriginal guide for the GULUYAMBI CULTURAL CRUISE on the East Alligator River. Here, learn about the ancient Aboriginal culture of the region as you search for a variety of wildlife. Afterward, enjoy LUNCH IN THE BUSH followed by a DEMONSTRATION of traditional hunting and gathering techniques. Later, return to Darwin. (B,L)

Day #12Darwin–Sydney. Today, fly to beautiful Sydney. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day #13Sydney. Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour that includes a Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo stop, the historic “Rocks” area, and a visit to world-famous BONDI BEACH. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)

Day #14Sydney. Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city. (B)

Day #15Sydney–Queenstown, New Zealand. Fly to Queenstown. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day #16Queenstown. Milford Sound Excursion. Travel by motorcoach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK. View the Mirror Lakes as you pass through Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel, emerge into Cleddau Valley. Join your Milford Sound CRUISE for an unforgettable experience. (B)

Day #17Queenstown. Enjoy a full day at leisure in the “Adventure Capital of the World.” (B)

Day #18Queenstown. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)